This course is designed to examine the variety of correctional services available in the community, as alternatives to incarceration. Emphasis will be placed on probation and parole, as well as the range of intermediate sanctions (including, but not limited to, programs such as boot camps, drug courts, electronic monitoring, etc.).

The course will primarily be conducted in a lecture-discussion format. Active learning strategies will be stressed, as will a focus on both theory and practice. Lectures and discussions may be supplemented by a variety of instructional strategies, such as: guest speakers; videos; field trips; role-playing exercises to apply theoretical concepts; and student presentations.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:

Describe the history and philosophy of community-based correctional programs;

Understand sentencing goals and strategies, as well as offender classification strategies, that assign clients to community-based correctional programs;